Suits In Movies: How Well They Did

[happyfilmluvguy]

Have you ever wore or touched a costume that was created for a period film? How authentic was it compared to the real thing? Was the contruction good or bad? Did you meet the costume designer(s) and they explained about their sources and research? Did they say that a classic movie or actor/actress was an influence of the costume(s)?

What film(s) did the costume department make a mistake? Do you have proof of it? For examples The Aviator, Leonardo DeCaprio's blue blazer has large armholes. Was it a mistake or could the blazer have existed but wasn't common?

 

[CharlieH.]

The most glaring wardrobe brodie in a period film I can remember (besides the low armholes in The Aviator... and Titanic) would be the low rise trousers and long ties in A League Of Their Own.

 

[dhermann1]

Slightly off topic. . .

About 20 years ago Cheap Jack's in the Village had several dozen former costumes for sale from the original Broadway production of Barnum. I'm no expert, but they looked pretty well made and authentic to me. Stage costumes really have to hold up under a lot of stress, so I would imagine they tend to be built like iron.
I've also supered in a number of operas, and the company I was with used rented costimes from Brooks Van Horn. They may have been MIGHTY gross and sweaty and dirty (please don't let me spoil the operatic illusion) but they were very solidly built and looked really cool.

 

[dhermann1]

The one other thing on this subject I would mention, is the ties and suits in "Tucker the Man and His Dream". The costumes were great, and maybe they meant to do this, but everyone was dressed as if they all had brand new clothes. In real life everybody has stuff of varying ages, including ties. But my recollection of that movie was that every man was wearing a superloud 1948 tie. Really cool, but not quite authentic. It's a while since I've seen the movie, but this is my recollection of it.